After I transmigrated, the cold king clung to me every day.

Chapter 216 My humble abode is poor but warm

Not long after Su Wan'er left, Li Yue returned on a nearby path, with Murong Xu helping her push the cart and following her.

When she was less than 100 meters from her house, Li Yue saw her thatched hut in the distance, and a look of panic flashed across her eyes.

She suddenly grabbed Murong Xu's arm, her expression anxious, and said in a hurried tone, "Hey~ that's it. Once we get through this forest, I'll be home! I can push the cart myself. You can go back."

Upon hearing this, Murong Xu's face flashed with disdain, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a carefree smile. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Hey! I've been pushing your cart for so long, and I'm sweating buckets. Putting everything else aside, you should at least offer me a drink of water before I leave."

Li Yue's eyes widened, her brows furrowed, and she retorted helplessly, "Hey~ you offered to help push the cart yourself, it was entirely voluntary of you, how can you say such things now! Don't try to act innocent after getting something for nothing, go back now."

Murong Xu feigned grievance, crossed his arms, leaned back slightly, and said, "Oh, can't you let me go back and sit with you for a while?"

"No way!" Li Yue refused decisively, her eyes leaving no room for doubt.

Upon hearing this, Murong Xu pretended to be angry, abruptly turned his head away, and let out a heavy "humph," turning his face to one side with a pout, his cheeks slightly bulging, as if he had truly suffered a great injustice.

Seeing this, Li Yue was at a loss, her eyes filled with anxiety and apology. She gently tugged at Murong Xu's sleeve, her voice soft and pleading, "Oh, please, I'm begging you, go back now! If you go back now, I'll do anything you want!"

Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Murong Xu's eyes, and he instantly perked up, turning his head to ask, "Really?"

Li Yue gritted her teeth and answered firmly, "Yes!"

"Did you say that?" Murong Xu asked again, his eyes full of anticipation.

"I said it!" Li Yue emphasized, her eyes showing a resolute determination.

"Very well, a gentleman's word is as good as his bond." Murong Xu nodded in satisfaction, a triumphant smile playing on his lips.

"In that case, go back now." With that, Li Yue reached out and gently pushed him.

"Hey, what's the rush?" Murong Xu said, deliberately dawdling as he walked, his eyes fixed on Li Yue.

"What else do you want?" Li Yue's voice was tinged with anxiety and helplessness.

Murong Xu's lips curled up slightly, a mischievous smile appearing on his face. He slowly brought his cheek closer to Li Yue, pointing to his own cheek with anticipation and amusement in his eyes.

When Li Yue saw Murong Xu's shameless behavior, her eyes widened instantly, her brows furrowed, and her anger flared up instantly.

She suddenly raised her hand and smacked Murong Xu on the head, scolding him sharply, "Enough! Don't push your luck! I'm warning you, don't make me angry. Now! Immediately! Go back right now!" The smacked head was powerful, and the crisp sound echoed through the silent forest.

Murong Xu's head jerked to the side from the knock, a look of surprise flashing across his face. He then muttered pitifully, "Fine, let's go back. Why be so fierce?" He pouted, his face full of reluctance, and kept muttering to himself as he turned around.

He dragged his feet back, and every few steps he couldn't help but turn around, his eyes sparkling, and he gave Li Yue a provocative smile, shouting, "Don't forget what you said!" His expression seemed to be reminding Li Yue that she had made a promise.

Li Yue was both angry and anxious, feeling utterly helpless. She waved her hand at him and shouted impatiently, "Get out of here!"

Watching Murong Xu's retreating figure, she breathed a sigh of relief, finally getting rid of this troublesome person.

Li Yue raised her hand to tidy her slightly messy hair, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

After a moment, her eyes returned to calm, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a gentle smile. Pushing the cart, she slowly walked towards home, her shadow stretched long in the afterglow of the setting sun.

This side—

Sun Lan carefully picked up the box of ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin with both hands, her eyes sparkling with surprise. She turned to Huan'er and said, "Huan'er, this ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin are truly top-quality tonics! Look at their quality, tsk tsk tsk, it seems the Princess really treats you well." As she spoke, she gently stroked the brocade box with her fingers, her tone full of envy.

Huan'er nodded slightly, a hint of nostalgia and gratitude in her eyes, and said softly, "Yes... I've served the Princess since I was little. At first, I was her personal maid in the manor, and later, when Miss got married, I became her dowry maid. Over the years, we've been together, and I've long regarded her as my closest person. To be honest, without Miss, there would be no Huan'er today. So, whatever Miss asks me to do, I will obey without complaint." After saying this, Huan'er sighed softly, a hint of determination in her eyes.

Sun Lan placed the brocade box on the table, patted Huan'er's shoulder, and said warmly, "Since the Princess Consort cares about you so much, we can't let her down. I'll stew the ginseng right now to nourish you properly. You're pregnant now, so you should eat more good food." As she spoke, she rolled up her sleeves, looking very energetic.

"I'm home!" With a clear shout, Li Yue pushed her stroller and strode into the house, her face beaming with a bright smile as radiant as the warm spring sun.

Upon hearing the sound, Sun Lan hurriedly came out of the house to greet her, a kind smile on her face, and said, "Oh, Yue'er is back! How was business today?"

Li Yue parked the car and, while quickly tidying up the items inside, said excitedly, "Mom, today was such a great day! I was worried we wouldn't be able to sell all our little trinkets, but guess what? So many people came to buy my stuff, it was like they all planned it!"

At this point, she put her hands on her hips, her face full of pride, and continued enthusiastically, "I rely on my silver tongue to explain the benefits of our products to customers. Once they hear it, they're all happy to buy. Thanks to my silver tongue, today's sales are several times higher than usual!"

Sun Lan smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, my daughter is the best."

Hearing Li Yue's words, Huan'er couldn't help but chuckle, her eyes filled with affection for Li Yue.

Li Yue was speaking excitedly when she inadvertently glanced at the ginseng in Sun Lan's hand. Her eyes widened instantly, her face full of doubt and shock. She pointed and asked, "Mother, what are you holding in your hand?"

Sun Lan waved the ginseng in her hand and said with a smile, "Oh~ a thousand-year-old ginseng~"

"A thousand-year-old ginseng? Where did we get ginseng?" Li Yue was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Sun Lan patiently explained, "The princess just brought these to help Huan'er recover; she also brought some donkey-hide gelatin."

"What! The princess came?! Where is she?" Li Yue's eyes widened, her voice unconsciously rising a few decibels, her eyes full of curiosity.

Huan'er gently stroked her slightly protruding belly and whispered, "She just left."

"Oh, oh." Li Yue nodded slightly, then muttered softly, "I haven't even seen what this princess looks like yet."

At this moment, Sun Lan turned around to go to the kitchen to cook, but as soon as she took a step, Li Yue grabbed her arm.

Li Yue looked at Sun Lan with concern in her eyes and said, "Mother, you take care of Huan'er. I'll go cook. You see, Huan'er is pregnant now and can't be left alone. I feel more at ease if you stay here with her."

Sun Lan looked at her sensible daughter, smiled with satisfaction, and nodded in agreement.

Huan'er felt a surge of warmth as she watched this scene. Although the simple thatched hut was dilapidated and the wind could be heard whistling through the roof from time to time, and the furnishings inside were extremely simple, the warmth and kindness of Li Yue and her daughter Sun Lan filled the place with the cozy feeling of home.

Every word of concern and every thoughtful gesture was like a warm fire in winter, comforting Huan'er's heart. Here, she felt a long-lost sense of care and warmth, as if she were no longer a pitiful person manipulated by fate, but a member of this loving little family.